Dual cutoff system having diverging web paths

Abstract

A dual cutoff machine system is provided for cutting two continuously moving rigid webs into sheets by way of first and second cutting devices at different elevations. The cutting devices are along first and second web paths which diverge in a downstream direction.

We claim: 
     
       1. A dual cut off system comprising discrete upper and lower cut off units for cutting moving webs along an upper path and a lower horizontal web path, each web path including a discrete conveyor downstream from each cut off unit for conveying sheets along its associated path, the upper web path being inclined upwardly relative to the horizontal by an acute angle less than 15°, and the upper cut off unit being angled with respect to the vertical by an amount corresponding to said acute angle. 
     
     
       2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said angle is about 6°. 
     
     
       3. A system in accordance with claim 1 including a web support plate upstream from said upper cutoff unit, said plate being inclined with respect to the horizontal by the same acute angle. 
     
     
       4. A system in accordance with claim 3 including feed roller means for feeding the upper web to the nip between mating blades of the upper cutoff unit. 
     
     
       5. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said inclined plate is disposed above the first cutoff unit, said cutoff units being staggered with the upper cutoff unit being downstream from the lower cutoff unit. 
     
     
       6. In a dual cut off machine system for cutting two continuously moving corrugated paperboard webs into sheets comprising a first cut off unit provided with a first cutting means adapted to be disposed transversely to a first moving web, first web feed means upstream from said first cutting means to feed a first web thereto, first conveyor means downstream from said first cutting means to convey cut sheets away from said first cutting means, said first feed means and said first conveyor means defining a first web path which is substantially horizontal, a second cutting means disposed at an elevation above said first cutting means, second web feed means upstream from said second cutting means to feed a second web thereto, second conveyor means downstream from said second cutting means to convey sheets away from said second cutting means, said second web feed means and said second conveyor means being inclined at an acute angle with respecct to the vertical to define a second web path which is inclined upwardly in a downstream direction. 
     
     
       7. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein the second cutting means is inclined with respect to the vertical by an amount corresponding to the angle by which said second web path is inclined with respect to the horizontal. 
     
     
       8. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second web path diverges from said first web path by an acute angle between about 6° and 15°. 
     
     
       9. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second conveyor means is an endless sandwich conveyor for contacting opposite surfaces of a sheet being conveyed along the second web path. 
     
     
       10. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second cutting means is downstream from said first cutting means.